One week closer to a full slate of conference games, which means we’re that much closer to being in Atlanta in December. But I am in no rush.
Last weekend, a few records were broken, some coaches got their first-ever wins, and three teams almost pulled off upsets over FBS programs.
I had a pretty good week too, going 10-3 with my picks (20-12 overall) while picking the point spread (16) of the Truth & Service Classic. NICE!
I won’t pick what appears will be a lopsided game between Texas Southern and FBS Rice, and Florida A&M, Hampton, Mississippi Valley State, Morgan State, South Carolina State, and Southern will be on byes this weekend.
That means ten games will be on this week’s slate. Let’s see how I do.
FCS vs. FCS Non-Conference
North Carolina Central at North Carolina A&T
Saturday, September 25, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)
This ain’t no normal non-conference match-up. It is Rivalry Week in Greensboro, and the Aggies haven’t played at home in 672 days!
Aggies are 0-2 for the first time since 2010, a year where they finished the season 1-9. The Eagles, behind a pair of rushing touchdowns by RB Latrell Collier, would go on to score 17 unanswered points in the second half to defeat WSSU 20-13.
If A&T wants to avoid going 0-3 for the first time since (you guessed it) 2010, they will have to “do the little things well.” Aggie RB Jah-Maine Martin will have to improve on his 2.1 yards per carry while the defense will look to stop the Eagle four-man running back committee of Collier, Jamal Currie-Elliott, Jorden Freeman, and Isaiah Totten.
Aggies 24, Eagles 10
MEAC
Howard at Robert Morris
Saturday, September 25, Noon (ESPN+)
The Colonials haven’t played since Sept. 11, compiling a total of 109 yards of offense in a 45-0 loss to FBS Central Michigan. The Bison are fresh off a tough 48-32 loss to bitter rival Hampton. Neither team has won a game since Nov. 23, 2019. Keep an eye on Bison QB Quinton Williams (Last Week: 357 Pass Yds, 3 TDs, 2 Ints).
Bison 28, Colonials 27
Norfolk State at St. Francis (Pa)
Saturday, September 25, Noon
This past weekend, the Spartans set a few records on the backs of Division II Elizabeth City State en route to their 27-point blowout. 63 points scored and 675 yards of total offense, Division I-era records. Five touchdown passes thrown by QB Juwan Carter and eight QB sacks by the Spartan defense tie the school’s Division I single-game records.
Both teams will be looking to earn their second win of the season, as SFU is coming off a 39-24 win over Wagner behind QB Jyron Russell’s 194 passing yards and four TDs.
Red Flash 30, Spartans 21
Merrimack at Delaware State
Saturday, September 25, 2:00 PM (ESPN+)
The keys for DSU to defeat Merrimack this weekend is to slow down Warriors QB Westin Elliott (70.5%, 314 Pass Yds, three TDs per game), force turnovers (Merrimack has eight so far), and play all 60 minutes. I know that sounds cliché, but the Hornets continue to have a difficult time finishing games this season, scoring a grand total of six points in the second half this year.
Warriors 35, Hornets 14
OVC
Tennessee State at Southeast Missouri State
Saturday, September 25, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)
Don’t let that 0-3 Southeast Missouri State record fool you, Tiger fans. The Redhawks have faced Missouri and two Top 10 FCS opponents (Sam Houston and Southern Illinois) so far this season.
The Tigers currently lead the OVC in total defense (243.0 YPG) but will need QB Geremy Hickbottom to reproduce last week’s output (288 Tot Yds, 4 Tot TDs) if Eddie George wants to earn his second win of the season.
Redhawks 28, Tigers 20
SWAC
Alcorn State at Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Thursday, September 23, 7:30 PM (ESPNU)
This is a major opportunity for UAPB to prove to the rest of the SWAC that the spring was not a fluke. Beat the team the experts picked to win the West Division on television. Oddly enough, the last time the Golden Lions faced the Braves, they defeated Alcorn 45-43 in triple overtime. In Fred McNair’s first season as head coach at Alcorn. On TV. On a Thursday night.
If they are to repeat that feat, UAPB’s defense – currently allowing 309.5 yards per game in the air – will have to slow down ASU QB Felix Harper (265 Yds, TD, Int) who played well in the Braves’ 28-21 loss against FBS South Alabama last Saturday.
Braves 24, Golden Lions 21
Delta State at Jackson State
Saturday, September 25, 3:00 PM
The Statesmen haven’t faced an opponent that plays higher than Division II so far this season. Even in their 12-7 loss to FBS Louisiana-Monroe, the Tigers defense has not allowed a touchdown in a game for the second time this season.
I see nothing but trouble for Delta State. The last time JSU faced a DII opponent under Coach Sanders, the Tigers won 53-0. Even though DSU is “better” than Edward Waters, JSU’s defense has also improved from this past spring.
Tigers 48, Warhawks 3
Grambling State at Prairie View A&M
Saturday, September 25, 5:00 PM
Since losing to North Carolina A&T in the Celebration Bowl back in 2017, the Tigers are 11-10 against the SWAC. During that time span, GSU is winless (0-3) against PVAMU in the State Farm Classic. Not only will Coach Fobb have to figure out a way to put points on the board, going scoreless in their last two games against FBS competition, Grambling will have to find a way to slow down Panther QB Jawon Pass (898 Yds, 6 TDs, 5 Ints).
Panthers 28, Tigers 17
Tuskegee at Alabama A&M
Saturday, September 25, 5:00 PM
Yeah, the Gulf Coast Classic might be very one-sided. The Maroon Tigers, who were predicted to compete for another Western Division title in SIAC, are off to a 1-2 start against Division II competition. Tuskegee will have their hands full trying to figure out how to slow down this Bulldogs’ offense that averages 36 PPG.
Bulldogs 42, Maroon Tigers 7
Bethune-Cookman at Alabama State
Saturday, September 25, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)
BCU will be dealing with several firsts this weekend. The Wildcats, who are making their first conference road trip in the SWAC along with facing the Hornets for the first time since 2012, are in search of their first win of the season.
Both teams have struggled to stop the run so far this season, allowing an average of 247.4 YPG on the ground between the two of them. Look for both teams to take advantage of these seemingly porous defenses.
Wildcats 27, Hornets 24
